Nintendo Wiis and iPods on pet danger list

Nintendo Wii consoles and iPods are among the modern gadgets most likely cause injury to pets, a survey has revealed.

The Nintendo Wii games console - fun for humans, 'dangerous' for pets

By Matthew Moore

11:53PM BST 17 Oct 2008

Guinea pigs, rabbits and cats are the animals most likely to fall victim to new technology, but reptiles and birds have also come undone at the hands of 21st century toys.

Computer laptops, remote controls and plasma screen televisions are also high on the gadget danger list.

And although Britain is meant to be a nation of pet lovers, it appears we are unwilling to take responsibility for their accidents: the majority of people blame their "clumsy" animals instead.

More than a third those surveyed said that their pet had caused injury to themselves by eating something they shouldn't, while a third of animals have hurt themselves by jumping off furniture.

Only one third of humans admitted responsibility for an injury suffered by their animals.

"The survey shows how involved our pets are in our everyday lives which is something that can take a while to get used to," said vet Brian Faulkner.

"Dogs are especially inquisitive and often get under your feet when you are concentrating on something else.

"Luckily, most of the time they see you before you see them and manage to move out of the way before you step on them but it is not uncommon for vets to have to help them through the odd accidental owner-inflicted scrape and bruise."

The survey of 3,000 animal owners by Petplan revealed a number of unlikely accidents, including a cat who singed of her whiskers by trying to sniff a candle, and a dog had to be treated by vets after swallowing a pair of knickers.